Enrolling in an online Masters in Nursing Education program might be a great way for Registered Nurses to advance their credentials and prepare for a potentially exciting career move while maintaining a busy professional life. Nurse Educators are vital to the healthcare industry, serving as role models and teachers to future generations of nurses.

Potential Benefits to Pursuing a Online Masters in Nursing Education

Educational technology has advanced to the extent that many schools offer the option to pursue an online masters in nursing education. If you are considering this advanced degree in nursing, chances are you may still be a working Registered Nurse, so distance-learning may be a viable option in terms of being able to study remotely.

While program format typically varies between schools, web-based learning involves logging into a course management system for your classes, and using virtual libraries to help you research. What you therefore need is a working computer and reliable Internet, plus the independence and self-motivation to learn on your own. You might also need to find a location for any laboratory or hands on experience if this is required. Generally students who cannot travel to a campus program, or need a flexible study schedule may enjoy pursuing their Master of Science in Nursing Education online.

GradSchools.com makes it easy for you to scroll through the different Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Education and Nurse Educator programs. You are able to request information from each school, a really valuable tool to help you compare and select the right program.

How Do I Become a Nurse Educator?

Becoming a nurse educator is likely a career choice that evolves over time, continued education, and active

experience in an area of nursing that may become a specialty. The first step in the process involves first earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, taking and passing the exams and earning a license to become a Registered Nurse. Many RNs take on specialized roles, such as becoming addiction nurses, critical care or genetics nurses. While maintaining their active registered nurse license, they may decide to become nurse educators, healthcare consultants, hospital administrators, or public policy advisors[i].

Here is where earning a Masters in Nursing Education online comes in as the next step, and potentially the step before pursuing a PhD in Nursing education, depending on their desired career outcome. Nurse educators are generally expected to posses both advanced academic knowledge of the nursing profession as well as years of hands-on clinical experience. An online Master in Nursing Education teaches nursing professionals:

Instructional design

Curriculum and program planning and organization

Evaluation and assessment methods in nursing education

Theories and methods for teaching with healthcare related technology

Leadership in nursing education

Advanced subjects in nursing

The Valuable Role of Nurse Educators in Healthcare

Nurse educators are usually registered nurses with abundant clinical experience and educational credentials who also devote part of their career to teaching future nurses about the profession. Often serving as faculty members in nursing schools, colleges and other educational establishments, nurse educators impart their advanced knowledge and technical expertise to aspiring nurses. Some may also specialize in a certain role, such as developing continuing education programs, instructional design of nursing curriculums, or managing educational programs for nursing.

Being both nurse and teacher, nurse educators play a crucial role in the nursing profession and are often looked towards for guidance, mentorship and leadership in many areas. For some, teaching is a part-time role while they maintain their professional roe as RN, for others, it is full-time work. One thing is certain, in order to teach, nursing educators must stay up to date with the latest trends in nursing and nursing technology. The curriculum in a Masters in Nurse Educator program may certainly fill in the gaps between practicing nursing and teaching it to others in a responsible way.

What Does a Nurse Educator Do?

Nurse educators are actually a part of the infrastructure of the healthcare industry. These are professionals who teach from a standpoint of expertise in one area, the area they have experience in. This might be oncology, geriatrics, pediatrics, cardiology, or pediatric oncology. Their ongoing work involves[i]:

Training and Teaching Other Nurses: Learning to identify the different educational needs of students, developing curriculums and training programs or classes, and teaching these

Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Nurse educators need to be able to analyze information and evaluate results to choose the best solution

Assisting and Caring for Others: Nurse educators have spent many years as RNs and have a strong foundation in giving personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: With technology changing rapidly, nurse educators need to remain up-to-date technically and know how to apply new knowledge to their job

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Nurse educators need to be able to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time, sometimes being a mentor to another nurse.

Ready To Pursue an Online Masters In Nursing Education?

The future is bright for nursing educators; if you have the advanced knowledge, you certainly will be needed to impart your wisdom so that the next wave of nurses are able to benefit from a quality education. Why not review your options for Online Masters Programs in Nursing Education on GradSchools.com today!

University of Saint Mary

Customize your online MS in Nursing degree with a concentration in Nurse Educator from the accredited University of Saint Mary. This concentration helps aspiring and veteran nurses perfect their craft.

Fort Hays State University

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